10 Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes and Organic Treats

When I adopted my dog a few years ago, I kept feeding her the same commercial brand of dog food she had eaten at the kennel. A few months after, she started to develop heat rashes and dry skin. In a desperate attempt to get my poor girl to stop scratching, I started reading up on dog food ingredients and learned that most commercial dog food contains meat byproducts, fillers, and general junk I didn’t want my dog eating.

After that, I switched to organic dog food and treats, but that started to get very expensive. For example, the treats cost about $10 for just a small bag.

To save some money, I started looking into different homemade dog food and treat recipes and found that I could save money by making my dog’s meals and snacks. In addition to the cost savings, the food I make for my dog is much healthier than commercial dog food. Most homemade dog treats keep for a week or more, and you can freeze homemade dog food, so you always have some cheap, healthy alternatives on hand for your pup.

Below are my favorite homemade organic dog food and treat recipes that you can try at home.

Organic Dog Treat Recipes

These treats have a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and meat your dog will love. By purchasing organic ingredients, and sticking to low-sugar and low-fat options, you can keep your dog healthy as well.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Dogs love peanut butter, and these cookies are a great way to sneak some fish oil into your dog’s diet. Fish oil improves your dog’s coat, making it shiny, soft, and healthier.

Look for organic peanut butter at your grocery store. Many commercial brands of peanut butter have unhealthy hydrogenated oils and additives. Better yet, make your own peanut butter using raw peanuts and peanut oil, and processing the mixture in your food processor.

Ingredients

2 cups of flour (white or wheat, if your pup has no wheat allergies)

1 cup of rolled oats

1/3 cup of smooth peanut butter

1 tablespoon of honey

1/2 tablespoon of fish oil

1 1/2 cups of water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix the flour and oats together in a large mixing bowl. Pour in one cup of water and blend until smooth. Add in the peanut butter, honey, and fish oil and mix until all the ingredients are well blended.

Slowly add the water until the mixture has a thick and doughy consistency.

Use a cookie cutter to create shapes. Place the cookies onto a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes.

Allow to cool completely before feeding.

Pro Tip: If the dough is too sticky to roll, slowly pad more flour onto the dough ball.

Chicken Jerky

I give my pup these chicken jerky treats as an alternative to the store-bought raw hides. The jerky is tough and chewy, so it keeps my dog occupied for a while, and the chicken has a good amount of protein, which is good for a dog’s muscle structure.

Ingredients

2 to 4 chicken breasts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove any excess fat from the chicken. Turn the chicken breast on its side and use a paring knife to slice the chicken breast into 1/8 inch thick strips.

Set the strips on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 hours.

Check the chicken before removing from the oven. It should be dry and hard, not soft or chewy. Allow the chicken to cool completely before serving.

Store the jerky in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Pro Tip: You can substitute sweet potatoes for the chicken in this recipe. Sweet potatoes make a healthy, vegetarian alternative.

Frozen Yogurt Pops for Dogs

If your dog loves to chase ice cubes around the kitchen, then he’ll love these frozen treats. They’re made from human grade ingredients and include fruit juice and carrots, which give your pup an added vitamin boost. Yogurt has calcium and protein, and can help your dog digest food.

Note that this recipe calls for non-fat yogurt, which is a much healthier alternative to other types of yogurt, especially if your dog is overweight.

Ingredients

6 oz. container of plain, non-fat frozen yogurt

1 cup of no-sugar added fruit juice

1/2 cup of carrots, minced

Directions

Add the yogurt, fruit juice, and carrots into a medium-sized bowl. Stir until the ingredients are smooth and well-blended.

Drop the mixture into the ice cube trays by spoonful.

Freeze until the ingredients are solid.

Pro Tip: Use hard plastic trays instead of the softer rubber ones to make the treats. The treats are easier to remove from a hard tray.

Fruit and Vegetable Strips

These strips work as a cheaper alternative to the organic chewy treats sold in pet stores. They also break apart easily, so you can serve smaller pieces as training rewards. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, which can help boost your dog’s immune system.

Ingredients

1 small sweet potato

1 medium banana

1 cup carrots, minced

1/2 cup unsweetened organic applesauce

2 cups of whole wheat flour (white if your dog has allergies)

1 cup of rolled oats

1/3 cup of water

Directions

Cook the sweet potato in the microwave for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the insides are soft. Set aside and allow to cool.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mash the banana and sweet potato in a large mixing bowl with a hand masher until smooth. Add in the carrots, flour, and oats. Slowly add in the applesauce and water while mixing.

The ingredients will form a soft dough. Roll the dough on to a lightly floured surface until the dough is 1/8 inch thick.

Cut the dough into strips.

Cook on a baking sheet for 25 minutes.

Store leftover strips in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Pro Tip: Do not worry about overcooking the sweet potato. Softer potatoes will mash easier.

Beef and Vegetable Balls

Some dogs prefer meaty treats over sweet ones. These treats have a hearty meat flavor and good aroma that all dogs love. When I made these, my dog stood outside the oven door, not so patiently waiting for the treats to cool.

Ingredients

2 6-ounce jars of organic beef and vegetable baby food

1 cup of whole-wheat flour (or white substitute)

2 cups of dry milk

1 cup of water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Drop the mixture onto a baking sheet in large spoonfuls.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Allow to the treats to cool completely. Store leftover beef and vegetable balls in the fridge for up to five days.

Pro Tip: These treats do not keep as well as others. Try cutting the recipe in half if you only have one dog.

Healthy Dog Food Recipes

Homemade dog food is healthier than the mass-produced dog food brands, and significantly cheaper than most of the organic dog food brands. Making your own dog food does take a bit of time, but you can make extra and store it in the freezer.

Turkey and Vegetable Dinner

This basic dog food recipe includes turkey for protein and vegetables for added vitamins and minerals. Turkey has less fat than beef, making this an ideal recipe for pups that could stand to lose a few pounds.

Ingredients

4 cups of water

1 pound of ground turkey

2 cups of brown rice

1 cup of carrots, chopped

1 cup of green beans, chopped

1 tablespoon of fish oil (optional)

Directions

Cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until the meat is cooked through.

Add the brown rice, turkey, and water to a large pot and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook an additional 15 minutes, or until the rice is soft and tender.

Add the carrots and green beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

Allow to cool before serving.

Store extra dinners in the fridge for up to five days.

Pro Tip: Avoid using heavy oil to brown the turkey. The high fat content of the oil may upset your dog’s stomach.

Chicken Casserole

This recipe uses chicken, which is a good source of protein, and lots of vegetables to create a flavorful mix. Green beans help your dog feel full and vegetables promote a healthy intestinal tract.

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts

1/2 cup of green beans, chopped

1/2 cup of carrots, chopped

1/2 cup of broccoli, chopped

1/2 cup rolled oats.

4 cups of low-salt chicken broth

Directions

Remove excess fat from the chicken breasts and cut the breasts into small nickel-sized chunks.

Cook the chicken breasts in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until no longer pink.

Add the chicken, vegetables, rolled oats, and chicken broth to a large pot and cook over medium heat until the carrots are tender – about 15 minutes.

Allow to cool before serving.

Store leftover casserole portions in the fridge for up to five days.

Pro Tip: You can use a small amount of olive oil to fry the chicken if you are having trouble keeping the chicken breasts from sticking to the skillet.

Doggie Chili

Dogs need large amounts of protein to keep them healthy and active. Your pup should get the majority of his protein from whole meat sources, such as fresh chicken. Beans also have a good amount of protein.

This recipe blends chicken, beans, and vegetables to create a healthy and tasty mix.

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts

1 cup of kidney beans, drained

1 cup of black beans, drained

1 cup of carrots, diced

1/2 cup of tomato paste

4 cups of chicken broth

Directions

Remove the excess fat and dice the chicken breasts into nickel-sized pieces.

Cook the chicken breasts in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink.

Add the chicken, beans, carrots, tomato paste, and chicken broth into a large pot and cook over medium heat until heated through – about 10 minutes.

Allow the mixture to cool before serving.

Store leftover chili in the fridge for up to five days.

Pro Tip: You can add a 1/2 tablespoon of fish oil to this recipe. The flavors are strong enough that even picky eaters won’t notice the added healthy ingredient.

Beef Stew

This dog-approved version of beef stew includes meat for protein, vegetables for vitamins, and gravy for flavor. This is a good alternative to wet commercial dog foods.

Ingredients

1 pound of beef stew meat

1 small sweet potato

1/2 cup of carrots, diced

1/2 cup of green beans, diced

1/2 cup of flour

1/2 cup of water or organic vegetable oil, plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying

Directions

Cook the sweet potato in a microwave for 5 to 8 minutes until firm but tender. Set aside.

Slice the stew pieces into smaller chunks, about the size of a nickel.

Cook the stew pieces in a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until well-done.

Remove the beef chunks from the pan, reserving the drippings.

Dice the sweet potato.

Heat the drippings over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour and water into the dripping while whisking to create a thick gravy.

Add the meat, sweet potato, carrots, and green beans into the gravy and stir to coat.

Cook until the carrots are tender – about 10 minutes.

Serve cool.

Store remaining stew in the fridge for up to five days.

Pro Tip: You can purchase pre-made gravy at some health food stores. This may save you time when making this food.

Fruit Parfait for Dogs

Your dog deserves a nice dessert every once in a while. This parfait mixes dairy and fruit, so it tastes great but also gives your pup a nice dose of vitamins and protein.

Ingredients

1/2 cup plain, non-fat yogurt

1/2 cup of strawberries, diced

1/2 cup of blueberries, diced

1/2 cup of applesauce

Directions

Blend all ingredients in a medium size bowl until the yogurt is smooth and the fruit is well blended.

Serve in small amounts.

Store in the fridge for up to seven days.

Pro Tip: On days you plan to serve your pup a fruit parfait, reduce the amount of regular food by one half to one cup to keep from over-feeding.

Final Word

While most dogs can handle a variety of different treats fed in small doses, some might get an upset stomach if you switch foods too quickly or too often. Before you start making your own homemade dog food, talk to your vet and ask if he or she has any special ingredient suggestions, as some breeds may be more prone to food allergies than others. After getting your vet’s approval, switch your dog’s food over gradually, slowing mixing in a homemade dish with your regular food over the course of several days.

Have you made homemade dog treats or organic dog food before? What have the results been like?

Angela ColleyAngela Colley is a freelance writer living in New Orleans, Louisiana with a background in mortgage and real estate. Her interests include animal rights advocacy, green living, mob movies and finding the best deal on everything. She blames her extreme passion for never paying full price on two parents that taught her that a penny saved is two pennies if invested wisely.

There are no set serving sizes for the treats, but in moderation is best. I usually feed my pup anywhere from 1 to 3 treats a day.

For the food recipes:
1-2 cups a day for a small dog
2-3 cups a day for a medium sized dog
2.5-4 cups a day for large to extra large dogs.

Dogs that are more active should get a half a cup more a day.

Lane2498

Angela. I was wondering about that. My dogs like to eat as much as I will give them, so it’s good to know what the recommended amount is.
Thanks!

Angela Colley

No problem. I spoke to my vet about treats once, and he told me as long as your dog isn’t putting on any weight, 1 to 3 treats a day is perfectly fine. Glad I could help!

Angela Colley

There are no set serving sizes for the treats, but in moderation is best. I usually feed my pup anywhere from 1 to 3 treats a day.

For the food recipes:
1-2 cups a day for a small dog
2-3 cups a day for a medium sized dog
2.5-4 cups a day for large to extra large dogs.

Dogs that are more active should get a half a cup more a day.

http://www.homemadedogfoodrecipesguide.com/ Homemade Dog Food Recipes

My Viszla-mix, Sam, has a very sensitive stomach and most treats don’t agree with him, but we need treats for his obedience training and I was really at a loss.

Lisa einhaus

Thankyou for your wonderful recipes, its taken me a few years but finally realized that tin food is just rubbish, and wanted to improve the health and quality of life to my beautiful maltese, snowy! He is getting on a bit and suffers arthritis and itchy, dry skin, so i thought change of diet is the way to go! Also, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a purebred boxer pup in about 3 weeks time, so i want to make sure that they are fed properly!! Can i feed the pup these recipes? or should i be also providing supplements? I do put powdered egg shells and fish oil in snowys food now! And also the pup at the moment is feeding on pedigree milk and tin puppy food. (she is now 5 weeks old!)

busters bud

I have read that dogs should not eat strawberries as they are poisonous.

http://twitter.com/catdogsandi Sandi

Fruit parfait…Blueberries are toxic to dogs, that is what a vet told me.

wendy

i am currently researching diets for both my dog and cat. and whist i have come across a lot of things being toxic, i haven’t found one yet saying blueberries are nor strawberries. the fruit anyway. as with all fruit you should give in moderation as it can cause upset stomachs. and never give the seeds or pips. as with apple the fruit is good but the core and pips are toxic. adding a few blueberries to a fruit smoothie and then freezing it can be a healthy treat during the summer heat if we ever get any lol

Reddoginn

According to the ASPCA poison line, your vet is wrong about blueberries and strawberries.

Penelope L. Penderhausen

Blueberries are NOT toxic to dogs and are found in many of the better non-grain dog foods.

Rosy

Thank you for all the great advice!
I am going to try a few of these recipes.

Jenn

hello…I have made every recipe in this list of 10 & just had so much fun watching the joy and excitement from my puppy. These are very easy recipes, which makes them so FABULOUS!!!
There is no buscuit, anywhere, ever that tops the chicken jerky. I brought a bunch to my puppy trainer & even she had to try one.

Thank you so much for posting these; I’ve found so many more helpful resources from you, Angela. I’m greatful for all the enjoyment this truely has brought me.

hellajezebella

thank you so much for spreading awareness about the terrible things added to commercial pet foods – even the “good ” ones. I wish more people would do the math and realize they can make their own dog food for less than the cost of so called “premium” brands, and by doing so will actually know what the hell is IN the food their dog or cat (or ferret, or rabbit, or …) is eating. I will be trying a few of your fabulous recipes this weekend… but i noticed a way for you to save even MORE $ on your peanut butter cookies…. skip the fish oil… unfortunately, heat destroys the lineolic acid (as does light and air… it’s a very fragile oil) so there’s no benefit to adding it to any recipe that’s heated ,,, unless your little darlings dig the fishy smell :) thank you again!

ET123

thank you sooooooooooo much for these angela!!! my dog is going tho have puppies soon and i dont like the commercial dog foods and was trying to find healthy substitute

Amanda

Has anyone had any stomach upsets from them eating this? I have a 120 lb great dane so I’d like to be prepared if he ends up with diarrhea in the beginning. (not so good for white carpet)

Anne

it’s always safest to introduce new foods gradually – start by feeding 3/4 whatever food you currently feed, 1/4 new food for a couple days and work your way through half and half then 3/4 new food, 1/4 old food to avoid the bad bellies. Hope all goes well with your dane… bet he’s a big eater! :)

Anne

it’s always safest to introduce new foods gradually – start by feeding 3/4 whatever food you currently feed, 1/4 new food for a couple days and work your way through half and half then 3/4 new food, 1/4 old food to avoid the bad bellies. Hope all goes well with your dane… bet he’s a big eater! :)

Amanda

Also, how many cups does each recipe make?

shell

White flour is not a good option for dogs with wheat allergies. White flour IS wheat flour; the main differences are that it’s not whole wheat (it’s only made from the central part of the wheat grain), and it’s bleached. However, rice flour might be an option for dog treats if dogs have allergies to wheat. It is more expensive, though. It can be found in the gluten free/organic section of grocery stores.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Momma

Or you can make your own rice flour by blending white rice in the blender!

Fadedjeans

Going to try these today. Can these recipes be frozen after cooking? Also going to use rice flour. Thank you….

Ozzy’s Mom

My 10 yr old miniature poodle has a huge appetite and is 20 lbs. Not good since he also has premature severe lumbo sacral arthritis. He is in a crisis at this writing. I searched for a healthy dog food recipe to assist is reducing weight and decided to cook the Turkey and vegetable dinner recipe. He loves it. Looking forward to seeing less of him soon. Makes a lot for a smaller dog so I will freeze. It was easy to make, I know the ingredients and I get to be his hero! Thank-you!

hairguru

PLEASE google “RAW unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar and dog arthritis”. Simply add 1/4 tsp (working up a bit later) to his water. If he wont drink (often they like the savory flavor) then add to his food. It will cure him. Its an anti inflammatory.

Gregg McWhirk

Homemade dog food is fun to make and your dog should love to eat it. As someone whose been involved in animal nutrition, breeding and show circles to animal behavior, you’re dog’s dietary needs are complex and need balancing just like your own. Dogs should avoid tomato based products, while apples are good for dogs skip the blueberries and use things like bananas, pears and such.

And you should never just “switch” diets. Dogs stomachs are a lot more sensitive to big adjustments. Work your way down from one food to the other, and ALWAYS make sure your vet would approve of the new diet. A lot of times, while we see a meal as balanced, there’s something that it might not include. A vet should easily be able to tell you that while yes rice is good, your dog doesn’t need a lot of it. Dogs only take a short amount of time for a lack of a proper vitamin or mineral before it starts affecting their system.

Jenni

Bullshit! Vets are NOT trained in nutrition! The will push any brand that is paying them to! If you actually love your pets take some time to actually read what grains can do to your pets you will be shocked at the health problems grain cause your fur babies.

Jesse James

Your right Jenni. I agree 100%.
Vets are a bunch of bullshit.

Rossie

This is nonsense. You want to feed your dog right, stop cooking to death both the meat and the veggies. Get a life and an education, woman.

Carissa

Wow… You’re an asshole.

lindz

Dogs are NOT meant to eat any of this! RAW meat, organs & bones are the only thing dogs should be eating! NO FRUIT VEGGIES DAIRY OR GRAINS!

farmersdaughter

Canines, in the wild, eat the stomach and intestines of their prey first. This is where they get their vegetables and grains, from the digestive tract of grazers. I blend the vegetables to more closely resemble partially digested food. I also cook the meat because I am not fond of parasites that can be spread to me. And, yes, even organic meat contains parasites (that are organic, I am sure, but I still don’t want them) Dairy, however, is not a good choice for canines. I use white rice as brown rice is too hard for dogs to digest. I also use sweet potatoes and/or yams. I have always used the rule of thumb 2 parts protein, 1 part vegetable, 1 part carb. My dogs are healthy, good coats, bright eyes, clean ears and very active.

janebar10

Hi – I was wondering if you could suggest a serving size – I have three dogs 11 lbs 40 and 50 lbs.

Penelope L. Penderhausen

I would suggest 1.5 cups for the 11#; and 3-4 cups for the larger dogs depending on their activity level. If you feed 2X a day divide this. my dogs are never fed more than once a day, and I leave them a little hungry. In the wild, canines do not eat every day and tend to gorge. by feeding our dogs everyday, and many times more than once a day, many dogs will still gorge and consume too much. This leads to fat unhealthy dogs. When you stand over your dog you should be able to see a “wasp waist” and not see defined ribs, hip bones or spine, but you should be able to tell what their skelatal structure is shaped like. There should be a firm feel and defined muscles for a well toned healthy dog.

http://www.facebook.com/lise.labreche Lise Labreche

These recipes seem healthy for humans but I’m wondering if they are actually all that healthy for dogs? Dairy I’ve read is very hard for dogs to digest. The vegetables say to chop but I’ve read that dogs can’t digest the out walls of vegetables therefore they need to be juiced or processed in food processor.

http://www.facebook.com/pointedears Danielle Picard

i love all the recipes but i am missing the calories number as i know my dog should have about 1659 K per day

Jane

Not every dog is male. It’s 2013– get with the times. And it wouldn’t hurt to use ALL female pronouns for a few decades, maybe balance it out a bit.

Ms. Dion

Good grief, it’s a freaking dog article….calm done Jane.

Grace Asher

You can’t seriously be this picky. It’s an article written by someone who cares for dogs, seriously I can’t believe in all of these comments and ideas to give good advise, I had to read this. Shocking.

Grace Asher

Maybe you should lead a female doggie sufferage campaign. Sounds like a good idea. #fightthepower good grief.

Hrvzmom

Is quinoa appropriate for dogs and what is its fiber content?

George Blair

I always supplement my dog’s meal with some beans, maybe sweet potato, or something. These treats should be administered sparingly and the food / diet should be switched over gradually. Monitor your dogs poopies. Some breeds (Boxers for example) have notoriously sensitive stomachs.

daisy rae

hi … i was wondering how you I make these recipes in a large quantity and keep the cost down for meat, for approx 8 large breed dogs and 2 small breed dogs. all in one family. 5 German Shepherds,1 boxer, 1black lab, 1american bulldog ( 4 mo old), 1dachshund, and a mini pin. can I feed them all the same food?

Penelope L. Penderhausen

I am laughing at the recipe for dog beef stew. the author adds gravy “for flavor”….Trust me, your dog is NOT going to care if you add gravy or not if you feed it fresh food. I would leave out the gravy as it ruins an otherwise healthy recipe with the flour. you could add a couple of cups of cooked white rice (brown rice is really hard for dogs to digest).

Jessica Shee

The brown rice is high in dietary fiber, which can maintain a healthy digestive tract. It’s the best choice for dogs which suffered from constipation.
Brown rice contains more protein and fiber than white rice.

Grace Asher

Some dogs are very picky. My dog prefers his food with some sort of binder like gravy. My dog is also very picky about flavors and wouldn’t eat this without the gravy. All dogs are different. Also brown rice is good for dogs with constipation.

Tracey Fitzwilliam

Just found out from another website that commercial pet food contains additives, dead dogs and cats as well as the drugs that euthanize them as it doesn’t get broken down in the processing oh and animal crap, so please stop using it and make homemade, if you want your furries to live longer and not suffer from cancer, arthritis and many other problems, oh and the vets and manufacturers are not going to admit this, I will start cooking homemade for my dog as he is suffering from joint problems at the age of 10 years old, my other dog had a tumour on his kidney and he was only 10 years old too, my parents used to give our other family dogs left over vegetables and meat on a Sunday and they lived to a ripe old age of 17years old they may have lived longer had we not also fed them commercial canned food. So don’t knock new things just because you think it won’t work. Please look after your pets x x x

Frank Rushford

Fantastic and heathy

Tamara

I was wondering about making larger quantities and freezing.

Barbara Richards

I don’t think we need to discuss anything with our vets. I’m all for remaining independent of these guys unless I have serious issues with my animals but I don’t count on them for prevention or advice. I think we become too dependent on the externals without making educated decisions because we know what’s best with a gut feeling. I feel the same way about attorneys, doctors, therapists and yes, even a vet.

Barbara Richards

And please, I intend to feed my dog homemade when I can but for those of you that are full of fear about commercial dog foods, I have yet to meet anybody that has said their dogs or cats died as a direct result of commercial dog food. It’s there for our convenience, the ingredients are listed on the bag that we’re responsible to read and then if the choice is made to buy, buy the best that doesn’t contain corn as a first ingredient. I hate it when people put the fear of God in me about anything and then try to shame my decisions on what I think is best. If you feel that commercial dog food is not for you or your dog, then don’t be like a smoker who has just quit by making others want to quit. Please, just don’t buy it and keep that to yourself. Thanks.

Titletown99030507d

My yellow lab “Bear’ almost died eating “Alpo Chop House Cooked in Savory Juices”. I switched from Pedigree pouches to mix in his dry pedigree food to the Alpo stuff to mix in his dry pedigree food because it was $1 cheaper per box than the pedigree pouches. That stuff was flying off the shelves then after the 3rd time I bought a box he started to behave differently to make a long story short his health deteriorated quickly and was dying on me. Took him to vet hospital blood work came back he had a serious infection but the vet could not find where the infection was coming from. High WBC count with 104 fever resulted in a 2 day stay at the hospital with antibiotic injections and pain killers and IV and a $1200 bill. Vets will soak you because you know you’ll do anything to fix your best friend. BTW the IV is way overpriced it was the most expensive part of the treatment. They charge you for the pump, tubing, the fluid, the bag and the person sticking the needle in his vein. Ridiculous! My dog is receiving pill form antibiotics as well and is resting at home slowly getting his health back. I think I took to the hospital in time to save him.
The moral of this story is you never know what your going to get from any brand of dog food plus always stick to what is working and don’t switch out food just because one product is $1 cheaper than the one you’ve been buying especially if everything is fine. That savings of $1 turned out to be a $1199 loss.
I may start preparing my dogs food at home in 1 week amounts stored in daily batches stored frozen. I’ll give it try and see how he does. Hate to say it we are all playing russian roulette with our pets food and its getting to the point where more bullets are being put in the chamber because the chinese are handling that. Companies are getting all their pet food ingredients from china so there you have it.
And BTW if you love to eat chicken well you’ll be eating chicken processed from china for human consumption come summer 2014. Yes you heard that right all major US companies that sell you frozen nuggets, wings, can foods, etc., are going to be getting our gutted chickens shipped to china where US businesses will have the chinese process our food then ship it back to us so we can buy it and eat it.
I’ll probably eat wing stop daily until summer of 2014 hits then I” just have to either not eat chicken or find an organic seller locally.

Happy eating!

Grace Asher

I’m sorry but you are misinformed or uninformed. Dogs do not live as long as they used to before the 1930’s when commercial dog food became available. Many many more dogs before the 1930’s lived way up Into their teens before commercial dog food….that is the truth. Just research it. People nowadays believe dogs are only capable of living a shorter time than their actualL life span potential.

keytoko

I have been making my own dog food for seven years now. I make it in large batches and then portion it into bags and freeze it. We have three dogs and they refuse to eat anything but what I make for them. They have healthier skin, they have no doggie odor, and there is very little feces. They use the whole food and don’t have to get rid of all the useless fillers in a lot of purchased dog foods.
Vets are like doctors. They only get a couple of hours of nutrition education in school. The knowledge they get is from the dog food manufactures. I have a chemistry and biology background and have spent a lot of time studying on how best to feed my best friends. It is not hard or anymore expensive than feeding a good quality purchased food. My dogs get a well rounded health diet.
Brown rice can be fed but like all grains it needs to be overcooked by human standards so the fiber is broken down for the dogs gut. The same has to be done for vegetables also.

Cah

Any chance you might share your dog food recipe with me? I would LOVE to make my own… I only buy organic food and I “supplement” their diet…but would love to make it ALL from scratch.(My email is [email protected]) If not, I understand… Thank you
Cah

Posh

yes, share your recipes with us please! very interested.

JL

I have been doing this also for the past year and my dog’s health has improved a lot. I use a large portion of boiled chicken legs and thighs, cooked and ground garbanzo beans (or rice and sometimes some oatmeal), lightly steamed: yams, green bean, carrots, kale, and spinach. Everything is chopped cooked then combined. I freeze some in bags also. I can make up enough for about a month. It won’t last in the refrigerator for more than about 2 weeks, so freezing is necessary.

I don’t add any fish because it seems to spoil more quickly. Instead I dry salmon strips (with skin) 1 hour at 300 degrees and give pieces to him as a snack. I also give him a vitamin and a bone meal supplement.

http://k9goodfood.com/ David Kish

The 10 Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes and Organic Treats is can help the secret techniques.

Macho

For 12 years I cooked for my 2 dogs, it was 1 cup of dry dog food, 2 cups of water & 1/2 cup of my special concentrate mix (vegetables, chicken bones, skins etc) pressure cooked 1 hr, grind or blend.
Ones a week from the market I get 4 full breast w/ backs, save the 8 half breast for myself and cook the rest of the meat & bones till there are soft, do the same with the vegetables (potato peels, carrots, squash etc.) mix them and grind them together, to fill 14 cups of thick sup, keep them in the fridge and give each dog 1/2 cup, am & 1/2 cup pm w/ 1 cup of dry food (any brand) & 2 cups of water (my dogs were 30-50 lbs). Now there are gone and my new family are (f) Rottweiler 50 lbs, (m) Presa Canaria 65 lbs & 6 lovely poppies (4 months old), now I don’t cook for them any more, only give them dry food, it cost me a bit more for I have some free time and more space in the fridge for my beer.
I’m retire now but to cook for a family of 8 big dogs it is like getting a part time job, when I go fishing and get lots of fish, then they get a fish treat (BBQ, Bake or fried), so far so good, but if a nice young girl like come to Nicaragua to cook for my fam. please let me know,

Normal person

wow i cant believe yuppies give their dogs chicken breasts. it would be healthier and cheaper to substitute all of that with necks and livers. This is an incredibly stupid article that does not value the nutrition of dogs.

tina

yes, i completely agree! dark chicken meat is much better for dogs, or better yet necks and backs (i heard you must feed liver in small quantities but that may have just been beef liver). and so much unnecessary sugar in these ‘recipes’ lol, why sweeten the frozen yogurt? most dogs love dairy so you wouldn’t need the extra sugar

Grace Asher

Calling someone stupid, well that’s just mean. Cantcha be nice? Just suggest if someone needs to save some benjis, substitute those things. Come on people.

Erin

These recipes are awesome! I was already thinking of making my dogs food as she also has extremely dry skin, and the organic food just isn’t helping. Will definitely be making some if not all of these.

XOXO.
Erin

Carole

Hi, I started making my two golden retrievers homemade dog food because I want them to be healthier too. Dogs are dying younger than they use too because of all the additives in commercial foods. I started thinking that if we only ate processed foods we wouldn’t last long either. All the nutrients are heated out of the food. I also add a supplement called Missing Link. Ground up egg shells give them the calcium they need as well. All Ido is put rice, oatmeal, meat, and veggies in a pressure cooker for 30 minutes and its done. I then divide it into containers by weight (1 12 cups per dog per meal). I feed them twice a day. I also put missing link on my cats food. I cannot believe the change in my animals. Shiny coats, no itching or dryness, and my one dog had a limp that has ddissapeare. Even if you can’t make your own dog food, adding Missing Link will give them the nutrients that the processed food doesn’t. I highly recommend it. I also make their treats and give them yogurt, fruits and veggies as treats. I just touch their food bowls and they start dancing and wagging their tails. Another thing there is hardly no shedding where I use to have to vacuum twice a day. :)

marshag

What is Missing Link and where to buy it, please.

Paleo Diet

Your dogs are getting too much sugar and not enough fat. They will become diabetic. Use fat in your sweet treats so the blood sugar doesn’t spike as fast (whole fat yogurt-also has more nutrients).

tina

um yeah fruit juice is full of sugar, and you didn’t specify to NOT use grape juice, which is commonly used to sweeten things as a substitute for sugar. after reading a few of these recipes, i could see so many potential health problems so i stopped reading. i’m no expert, but some of these recipes are just plain irresponsible. i’m sure you don’t want to cause peoples’ dogs to become ill so maybe you should think before posting advice. ya stupid rat!

chai

I’m just about to bake the peanut butter cookies. If these recipes aren’t that good for your dog at least their tasty for them. Your dogs deserve a treat.

Maurice Rogerson

Why cut the fat off the chicken or beef? Dogs are made to eat such. Just the same, it’s good to feed them fish like Salmon, especially the high fat (Omega 3 and 6) types like Sockeye and Chinook. I also wonder why there are no peas in the recipes. Peas are not only good for trace minerals, but are high in carbs and complete proteins, too. Otherwise, this is good stuff for my little beasts whom I love so much. Thanks for contributing!

Yerma

I know it is essential to cut the fat off of meat before being dried as the fat will go rancid rather quickly. As for the other recipes…….?

Serano Wilson

I think these are great ideas! I would just suggest replacing flour with Gluten Free such as Bob’s Red Mill rice flour. Also any meat added or veggies be sure it’s Organic or you’ll cause all sorts of other issues.

Beth F.

I have a 16 yr old small dog. I started making her beef cakes about 1 year ago. The recipe consist of ground beef, grated potato, grated carrot, cooked white rice, rolled oats, an egg, and olive oil. I mix it, form into balls and bake. She loved them and was no longer having digestive issues. I was relieved to finally find something she could digest. Recently she decided she was tired of them and now I’m back to cleaning up messes…..she can’t digest chicken….she is extremely picky (my husband says she is spoiled)….and she will go days without eating. At her age she get weak very quickly and I am so afraid she is going to literally starve herself to death. Any advice??

Mark

Go see a vet you dumb bitch

Sc B. McKinney

Turkey actually has more protein than other meats. Brown rice is better than white rice because it not only is not processed but has a higher level of protein. Also sweet potatoes and green beans should not be overlooked. Molasses adds iron and if feeding a complete diet don’t forget a mulitvitamin.

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Sarah Kingsley

to make the chicken jerky I assume its raw chicken breast you use?

Carol

yes

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mia6210

I started feeding my two dogs homemade food recently. I have a 14yo yorkie and a 10yo terrier mix. They both have trouble eating dry food. They love the new food and I’ve seen improvements in both of them. Their coats are shiner, their joints seem better and no stomach problems. I try to make a couple of batches and put them in small containers. I freeze some and it makes it a lot easier to feed them. I am wondering if you have any more recipes to share?

Haha

I have a 8week old puppy, i was wondering if i could feed her this? is she too young ?

Kat

Puppies typically need a higher-fat diet to coat their neurons as their brain develops, as well as other organs and tissues- You can include fattier meats as well as more melons and other fattier options.

Robin Fresella

Just a question. We made the fruit and vegetable strips. After cooking, do they have to be refrigerated?

Joe N Lisa Darling

I thank you for all the great recipes. My dog has Cushings now at age 11 yrs old. He is a German Sheppard/Rotwellier mix. He is very smart and had him since he was a pup. I started making him his own treats since the market dog food and treats have so many bad chemicals in them that they can cause this cancer if given in large doses or over a long period of time. So e chemicals found in major brand dog foods are used in Jet Fuel. YES true. So I make home treats that are One cup of frozen blueberries, one big container of non fat yogurt, 1-2 tbsp peanut butter, 1-2 tbsp of honey, 1 banana. ( I take any banana that is going to go bad and cut it into slices and put all pieces into a bag and freeze them) then I just dump that one bag of frozen banana I to this recipe. I mix all of these I. A food processor

Joe N Lisa Darling

Then dump into small plastic cups and freeze. My dog eats them right out of the cup frozen. Loves them.

traci

How do you know how much to give your dog? Recipes seem good, but not enough info.

Kris

tomatoes are toxic to dogs

S Rice

PLEASE BE WARNED — these recipes are really not ideal for canine health and may even be unsafe. I worked as a veterinary assistant in college and learned a lot about canine nutrition through that experience. The problems with the recipes in this article are as follows: several of the recipes call for chicken broth. Almost all chicken broths (commercial and homemade) include onions and possibly also garlic. ONIONS AND GARLIC ARE HIGHLY TOXIC FOR DOGS and no dog food recipe should include even trace amounts of either ingredient. Also, tomatoes are not toxic for dogs (unless they are allergic) — @Kris. However, tomatoes (especially fresh tomatoes) can be too acidic for dogs and may lead to stomach upset. Further, broccoli and legumes can cause gas and bloating and general intestinal discomfort for dogs so these really should not be used in homemade dog food recipes as there are much better vegetable and protein options available. If you are going to commit to making homemade food for your dogs, please do not rely on the recipes in this article. The author does not appear qualified to be writing on this topic. Instead just purchase a book of recipes and pet nutrition from a reputable author. I recommend ‘Feed Your Best Friend Better” by Rick Woodford or “Dr. Becker’s Real Food For Healthy Dogs & Cats” by Beth Taylor. The former has a lot of simple recipes, the latter is more involved.

Mimisdogs

to S Rice–your statement reads “Almost all chicken broths (commercial and homemade) include onions and possibly also garlic.”
How can homemade chicken stock made with chicken thighs have onions and garlic in it if I don’t add any seasonings? I cook my thighs in the pressure cooker and cover thighs with water only.

Gramaw

I agree with S. Rice: This article is full of inaccurate information. For example, brown rice is not digested easily by canines, and white rice is therefore the preferred choice. Cooking meat kills many of the important nutritional elements dogs need, therefore raw meat is better for them, and harmless. NONE of the above recipes provide the full nutritional requirements for a canine, and supplements are needed. If you are serious about feeding your pets homemade meals (which is the best option!), research and learn what is required, but do so from a credible source.

Jovlik

I really enjoyed the article and discussion. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to adapt the recipes for cats?

Debbie

My darling Boston Terrier started developing itchy skin when he was about six months old. I took him to three different vets and nobody could get to the source of his problem. I fed him only the best dog food available since he was a baby. My sister recommended that I start making his food because she had found that commercial dog food (even the very best) is highly concentrated and therefore hard for some dogs to tolerate. I make him boiled chicken or turkey mixed with pumpkin and spinach and feed him half kibble (Blue Buffalo) and half home made food. His skin problems cleared up and he is happy and healthy. He is two years old, perfect weight and has a beautiful shiny coat.

http://www.clerisysolutions.us/ Ashley Carl

Dogs need twice as much protein and nutrition in their diet as humans or cats. I think the best thing you can do for dogs is to give them salmon based healthy food.

jojo

lol you guys all sound like a bunch of mom`s trying to out parent each other, I wish my dog could use store bought but I have two bostons and they are barfing all the time so I have decided to try making home made. so far so good. my one dog is a grazer and rarely eats all his food but since I started feeding him home made he devours it and looks at me with those doggie eye MORE PLS lol that is worth it for me and the other dog that was vomiting on my carpet all the time isn`t anymore , I was going to go buy a carpet cleaner for dog vomit . not being judgement just telling you my story

KissMineCustard

They could have IBD… That is the reason I am looking into making my own dog food. The can Brand name dog food for 7 days costs $67.00. I can keep feeding this. I have other pets to feed, besides that is just crazy. I don’t spend that much to feed myself.

jojo

I am kinda on the fence about brown rice or white rice and should I add broccoli can someone share their thoughts on it , I am trying to make it balanced and cost effective and tips you guys can share would be helpful

Paul

broccoli makes them fart ..up to you lol

Brenda

Igive my girl home cooked food as I know whay goes in it,she eats,tuna an rice,chicken an vegies,mince an vegies with garlic an vegemite added,yogurt an mashed bananas frozen as a treat the list goes on and she loves all of it

Brooke

is there anything i can use instead of bananas in the fruit and veggie strips?

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